Research and Resources

Introduction

It is important that national ICT research priorities are aligned with national strategic priorities and available expertise. As a result the IST-Africa Consortium is undertaking an extensive consultation with the research communities in 18 African Countries across North Africa (Egypt, Tunisia), West Africa (Senegal, Ghana), East Africa (Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda), Central Africa (Cameroon) and Southern Africa (Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland). This consultation has been undertaken as part of national IST-Africa Training workshops supplemented by direct one-on-one engagement with senior representatives of key stakeholders undertaking ICT-related research at a national level. All organisations have been encouraged to prepare an organisational profile to highlight their track record and expertise.

A survey has also been undertaken to provide an overview of the ICT Environment and ICT related initiatives currently ongoing at a national level based on consultation of all key research actors.

The findings outline the rich mix of ICT related activities being undertaken in different African countries and the depth of research institutions that exist.

The table below provide an overview of the main institutions and research areas of interest mapping to current Challenges under the FP7-ICT Work Programmes for 2010 - 2013, based on consultations undertaken during 2010 - 2012.

As Table 1 illustrates, the partners have engaged with all relevant research organisations in each partner country. In each case, engagement was with the most senior representatives of each institution (including Chancellor, Dean, Head of Department or Professor in the case of universities). This exercise is to inform both national policy and provide insight to the European Commission and African Union Commission, to provide guidance when developing future international research calls.

There is a strong clustering of interest across most IST-Africa Partner Countries in four key areas (1) Pervasive and Trusted Network and Service Infrastructures, (2) ICT for Learning and Access to Cultural Resources, followed by (3) ICT for Health, Ageing Well, Inclusion and Governance and (4) ICT for Mobility, Environmental Sustainability and Energy Efficiency.

Like the smaller clusters around Technologies for Digital Content and Languages (Burundi, Egypt, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa) and ICT for Agriculture (Kenya, Lesotho, Tanzania and Uganda), it is perhaps surprising that these clusters are not more pan-African in nature. It is certainly likely that these smaller clusters will continue to grow over the coming years.

Table 1: Overview of National ICT Research Players and Research areas of Interest

Country

ICT Research Players

Research Areas of interest

Botswana

University of Botswana; BOTEC, National Technology Research Centre; Cable for Africa

CSIR/Meraka Institute; Medical Research Council; Cape Peninsula University of Tech; Central University of Technology; Durban University of Technology; Fort Hare University; Monash University; Nelson Mandela Metro University; North West University; Rhodes University; Stellenbosch University; Tshwane University of Technology; UNISA; University of Cape Town; University of Free State; University of Johannesburg; University of KwaZulu Natal; University of Limpopo; University of Pretoria; University of Venda; University of Zululand; Vaal University of Technology; Walter Sisulu University; University of the Western Cape; Wits University

University of Dar es Salaam; Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology; Open University of Tanzania; University of Dodoma; Ardhi University; Sokoine University of Agriculture; Muhimbili University of Health Sciences; Tumaini University College, Dar es Salaam

University of Manouba (National School of Computer Sciences); University of Tunis (Higher School of Sciences and Techniques of Tunis); University of Tunis El Manar (National Engineering School of Tunis, Higher Institute of Computer Sciences of El Manar); University of Carthage (Tunisia Polytechnic School, National Engineering School of Bizerte, Higher School of Technology and Computer Sciences of Carthage, National Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Mateur, Higher School of Communication of Tunis); University of Jendouba (Higher Institute of Applied Linguistics and Computer Sciences of Beja, Higher Institute of Computer Sciences of Kef); University de Sousse (Higher Institute of Computer Science and Communication Technologies of Hammam Sousse, Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Sousse, National Engineering School of Sousse); University of Kairouan (Higher Institute of Computer Sciences and Management of Kairouan, Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Kairouan, Higher Institute of Applied Mathematics and Computer Sciences of Kairouan); University of Monastir (National Engineering School of Monastir, Higher Institute of Computer Sciences and Mathematics of Monastir, Higher Institute of Computer Sciences of Mahdia, Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Mahdia); University of Sfax (National Engineering School of Sfax, Higher Institute of Electronics and Communication of Sfax, Higher Institute of Computer Sciences and Multimedia of Sfax); University of Gabes (National Engineering School of Gabes, Higher Institute of Computer Sciences and Multimedia of Gabes, Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Gabes, Higher Institute of Computer Sciences of Medenine); University of Gafsa (Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Gafsa); Elgazala Technopark for Communication TechnologiesCenter for Research and Studies of Telecommunications; Sousse Research Center for Microelectronics and Nanotechnology; Sfax Research Center for information Technology, Communications & Multimedia